LATICS went back to the drawing board against Carlisle United as they were held 0-0 for the second away game in a row.

Keith Curle's side had chances to win it, notably through Davis Keillor-Dunn, who had chances in either half, including a curling 20-yard effort that was cruelly denied by the woodwork just before the break.

Hallam Hope, on his return to the starting line-up and against his former side, tried to add to his midweek goal but was denied by Carlisle goalkeeper Mark Howard on the stroke of half-time.

Latics did not have it all their own way, with Zach Clough firing a chance wide for the hosts, who went into the game second bottom and level on points with Oldham, who were a goal and a place better off.

Captain Carl Piergianni was influential in both boxes on his return after a one-match suspension for accumulated bookings, and it was perhaps no coincidence that Latics looked more resilient with their captain back in the side.

Jayson Leutwiler was, however, called into action to save Clough free kick just after the half-hour, while Harrison McGahey did enough to divert a shot from Brennan Dickenson away from goal.

But Latics ended the first half on top, and picked up where they had left off after the re-start with Hope, Dylan Bahamboula and Callum Whelan making inroads. And Howard had to be alert when Keillor-Dunn tried his luck from inside the centre circle.

Latics were left to rue missed chances, but there were positives defensively in response to the 3-1 defeat at home to Walsall on Tuesday.